CAMPOLOGY

My dream of completing a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) is alive for 2022!

My aching and unfulfilled lust for the trail has been brewing since I first sampled her curvaceous footpaths some 37 years ago. However, life, jobs and family responsibilities prevented me from consummating this dream. 

Fast forward to the summer of 2019 - I was now completely retired from the tethers of a full-time job and with more free time, enough available coin and the blessings of my loved ones… life had opened a path.  Without hesitation, I started to plan for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike for 2020. I was giddy with joy and bursting with eager anticipation as the planning evolved, and the calendar ticked towards my goal. 

The global pandemic hasn’t only forced the closure of the Appalachian Trail, effectively to all non-Americans, it also means the USA is closed too!

My Canadian feelings aren’t hurt in any way whatsoever. Frankly, the border closures are a prudent medical necessity, plus we in Canada have also closed our borders to Americans too. It is what it is! So what next?

Since my Appalachian Trail adventure of 2020 was cancelled because of the global COVID 19 pandemic, I started tracking the death rates of both Canada and the USA. I did this hoping to loosely forecast when and if I could get to the trailhead in Georgia on time to complete the AT before the snow starts to fall in Maine.

I have backpacked lots. Bears don't bother me, black flies can be managed, snow is not a problem, even zombies don't give me any camper angst. What still boosts my anxiety to neurotic levels is this question: "To drop or not to drop?" This is an important question, no doubt.

It depends on a few basic variables: how much food are you willing to carry, how far is it between resupply points, your hiking pace, and finally, what and where are your mail drop options.

Thru-hiking during the next zombie pandemic could save your life! I have camped in many faraway places, in the harshest of climates, and with the strangest of camping partners; however, there will never be a greater personal challenge than camping during a zombie apocalypse! Don't sweat it, I have some well-researched tips to reduce the likelihood of you becoming zombie trail food! The biggest benefit of long haul backpacking during zomboid-apocalyptic times - is "zombies don't thru-hike."

INTRODUCTION

Join DUDLEY on his Appalachian Trail Adventure. This Crazy Camping Canuck ... has been dreaming of the AT for decades. 2020 is the year! This video introduction explains what drove an old man from a comfortable retirement to the hard life of a Thru-Hiker!  Dudley - aka Campology's own Bruce Watts - will be VLOGGING exclusively on THE TREK's Youtube channel.  Dudley loves The Trek and super excited to be working with some fine folks.

Overview

My Appalachian Trail gear choices were 37 years in the making.

I have hiked more than 5000 kilometres over 4 decades, and my gear has changed massively as I learned and technology evolved. In the early 80's my pack base weight was around 20lbs... over the next decade it ballooned to a crippling 40lbs. Today it's generally sub 10lbs and my knees, heart, and soul love my "new" light and lean gear!  

Why I'm Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail 2020

My tortured and forbidden love affair with the Appalachian trail began in the fall of 1986. At that time I was 27 and she was 49. 

Her gothic charms were hard to resist.  When I first layed eyes on her statuesque beauty, I was giddy and euphoric. I had never seen anything more wonderful,  nor had I ever felt more alive than during those brief moments stroking her footpaths on the New Hampshire White Mountains. I wanted more, I needed more. 

It’s been 8 weeks since I was first admitted into the hospital emergency room with a debilitating mysterious foot swelling. 

In my mind, my 35-year-old Appalachian Trail dream was fading as slowly as the time passed during my 42 days in bed! My mental health took a hit big time as my lifelong dream appeared to be crashing and burning without any hope of the medical Calvary riding over the hill to my aid.